US20060070765A1 - Twist-on connector - Google Patents

Twist-on connector Download PDF

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Publication number
US20060070765A1
US20060070765A1 US11/244,820 US24482005A US2006070765A1 US 20060070765 A1 US20060070765 A1 US 20060070765A1 US 24482005 A US24482005 A US 24482005A US 2006070765 A1 US2006070765 A1 US 2006070765A1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
twist
housing
wire connector
extending
wing section
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Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
US11/244,820
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US7365270B2 (en
Inventor
Alain Michaud
Viorel Popovici
Pierre Fortin
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
ABB Installation Products International LLC
Original Assignee
Thomas and Betts International LLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Thomas and Betts International LLC filed Critical Thomas and Betts International LLC
Priority to US11/244,820 priority Critical patent/US7365270B2/en
Assigned to THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC. reassignment THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: FORTIN, PIERRE, POPOVICI, VIOREL, MICHAUD, ALAIN
Publication of US20060070765A1 publication Critical patent/US20060070765A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US7365270B2 publication Critical patent/US7365270B2/en
Assigned to THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL LLC reassignment THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL LLC CHANGE OF NAME (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R4/00—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation
    • H01R4/10—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation effected solely by twisting, wrapping, bending, crimping, or other permanent deformation
    • H01R4/12—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation effected solely by twisting, wrapping, bending, crimping, or other permanent deformation by twisting
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R43/00—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing, assembling, maintaining, or repairing of line connectors or current collectors or for joining electric conductors
    • H01R43/033—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing, assembling, maintaining, or repairing of line connectors or current collectors or for joining electric conductors for wrapping or unwrapping wire connections

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to a twist-on wire connector used to terminate electrical wires. More particularly, the present invention relates to a twist-on wire connector which may be applied to electrical wires either manually or with the use of a standard socket type tool.
  • twist-on or screw-on wire connector A well known and common practice is to connect electrical wires using a twist-on or screw-on wire connector. These connectors are used to connect the stripped ends of two or more insulated or non-insulated conductors. Typically, these twist-on wire connectors include a plastic insulated shell and a wire spring supported therein. The wire spring may be conical in shape so that when the connector is placed over the stripped ends of the insulated electrical conductors and twisted thereon, the conductors are brought into electrical engagement with each other within the spring. Secure mechanical and electrical engagement between the twist-on connector and the electrical wires relies on the correct application of the connector to the wires.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 4,227,040 is one example of a twist-on wire connector employing such wings.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 6,198,049 discloses a twist-on wire connector having a pair of outwardly extending wings that project radially from the connector body which provides a finger grip surface for installing the connector on the conductor.
  • the upper end of the connector body is modified to accommodate a specially designed tool which may be used to twist the connector on to the conductors.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 6,252,170 provides a twist-on wire connector having wings extending from the lower end and a modified upper end which accommodates a tool which may apply torque to the connector to terminate the connector to the electrical conductors.
  • the design of the '170 patent provides a torque limiting feature such that the upper end is distorted upon excessive torque by the tool.
  • the present invention provides a twist-on wire connector.
  • the connector includes an elongate insulated housing having a closed upper end, an open lower end and a central cavity in communication with the open end for accommodating a conductive spring.
  • the housing includes a pair of diametrically opposed outwardly directed elongate continuous wings. The wings extend from the open end along the longitudinal portion of the housing. Each of the wings includes a first wing section adjacent to the open end having a first dimension which is used for manually attaching the connector to the conductor.
  • the second wing section extends from the first wing section towards the closed end of the housing.
  • the second wing section has a second extending dimension which is less than the first extending dimension and may be accommodated by a tool such as a socket for applying the connector to the conductors.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective showing of the wire connector of the present invention.
  • FIGS. 2 through 5 are elevational showings of the front, right side, back and left side of the wire connector of FIG. 1 .
  • FIGS. 6 and 7 are top and bottom elevational showings of the wire connector of FIG. 1 .
  • FIG. 8 shows an alternate embodiment of the wire connector of the present invention.
  • Twist-on wire connector 10 is typically a two-piece embodiment including an elongate insulative housing 12 and a conical wire spring (not shown) supported by the housing.
  • the connector 10 may be used to connect two or more insulated or stripped electrical wires together by applying the housing over the ends of the wires.
  • a conventional twist-on wire connector employing a connector housing and a metallic conical spring is shown in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,559,307, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.
  • Housing 12 is an elongate member formed of a suitably insulated molded thermoplastic material.
  • Housing 12 includes a generally frustroconically shaped upper portion 14 tapering towards a closed end 16 .
  • a wider lower skirt portion 18 which is nearly cylindrical in shape includes an open end 20 opposed to closed end 16 .
  • the open end 20 defines a central cavity 22 in which the conical spring (not shown) is positioned in conventional fashion.
  • the outer wall 14 a of upper portion 14 may include a plurality of elongate ribs 22 which assist in manual gripping and turning of the connector 10 about electrical wires as is well known.
  • the outer wall 15 of housing 12 further includes a pair of elongate diametrically opposed wings 30 and 32 .
  • Wings 30 and 32 extend radially outwardly from wall 15 .
  • the wings extend from open end 20 along the outer wall 15 of housing 12 towards closed end 16 .
  • Each of wings 30 and 32 includes two continuous but distinct wing sections.
  • Wing sections 30 a and 32 a extend from open end 20 each having a radially outward first dimension d 1 .
  • Second wing sections 30 b and 32 b extend from first wing section towards the closed end 16 of housing 12 .
  • the second wing sections 30 b and 32 b extend a radial distance d 2 which is less than the distance d 1 of the first wing sections 30 a and 32 a.
  • Each of wings sections 30 a , 32 a , 30 b , and 32 b are selected to provide optimum attachment of the wire connector 10 to the wires which are to be connected.
  • the wider first wing sections 30 a and 32 a are positioned and arranged so that wire connector 10 can be manually turned onto the wires.
  • the wider wing sections permit the thumb and forefinger of the installer to easily apply the necessary rotational forces to turn the wire connector onto the wires.
  • the second wing sections 30 b and 32 b are selected so that a connectional socket may be placed over the upper end 16 of connector housing 12 , such that the second wing sections fit within the convolutions or recesses of the socket.
  • the connector 10 of the present invention may by applied to wires by use of a socket attached to a nut driver or similar tool.
  • the present invention defines two distinct wing sections for two types of application of the connector to the wires.
  • First wing sections near the open end of the connector allow for manual attachment, while the second wing sections, which are intermediate and closer to the closed end allow for installation over the wires by use of a socket type tool.
  • the connector 10 includes at the open lower end 20 an outwardly directed ledge 40 circumferentially thereabout.
  • the ledge 40 functions as a stop surface so that when the connector is manually placed on the wires, a downward action can be applied without the fingers of the installer slipping off the connector.

Abstract

A twist-on wire connector including an elongate insulated housing having a closed upper end, an open lower end and a central cavity. The housing includes a pair of diametrically opposed outwardly directed elongate continuous wings. The wings extend from the open end along the longitudinal portion of the housing. The wings have two sections with different dimensions to accommodate manual attachment or attachment by use of a tool such as a socket for applying the connector to the conductors.

Description

    CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
  • This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/616,382, filed Oct. 6, 2004.
    • FIELD OF THE INVENTION
  • The present invention relates generally to a twist-on wire connector used to terminate electrical wires. More particularly, the present invention relates to a twist-on wire connector which may be applied to electrical wires either manually or with the use of a standard socket type tool.
    • BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • A well known and common practice is to connect electrical wires using a twist-on or screw-on wire connector. These connectors are used to connect the stripped ends of two or more insulated or non-insulated conductors. Typically, these twist-on wire connectors include a plastic insulated shell and a wire spring supported therein. The wire spring may be conical in shape so that when the connector is placed over the stripped ends of the insulated electrical conductors and twisted thereon, the conductors are brought into electrical engagement with each other within the spring. Secure mechanical and electrical engagement between the twist-on connector and the electrical wires relies on the correct application of the connector to the wires.
  • Improvements have been made in twist-on electrical connectors to permit the easy and secure termination of the wires. One technique, which is well known, is to use diametrically opposed outwardly directed wings which fit between the thumb and forefinger of the installer to provide a degree of leverage to permit the twisting of the connector onto the conductors.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 4,227,040 is one example of a twist-on wire connector employing such wings.
  • In certain instances, depending upon the type of wires which are connected and also for speed installation, it is desirable to use a tool to twist the wire connector onto the ends of the conductors.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 6,198,049 discloses a twist-on wire connector having a pair of outwardly extending wings that project radially from the connector body which provides a finger grip surface for installing the connector on the conductor. The upper end of the connector body is modified to accommodate a specially designed tool which may be used to twist the connector on to the conductors.
  • Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 6,252,170 provides a twist-on wire connector having wings extending from the lower end and a modified upper end which accommodates a tool which may apply torque to the connector to terminate the connector to the electrical conductors. The design of the '170 patent provides a torque limiting feature such that the upper end is distorted upon excessive torque by the tool.
  • While each of these devices serves adequately for its intended purpose, none provide a simple construction which allows for both manual attachment of the connector to the conductors as well as attachment by use of a standard tool such as a socket or the like.
    • SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • The present invention provides a twist-on wire connector. The connector includes an elongate insulated housing having a closed upper end, an open lower end and a central cavity in communication with the open end for accommodating a conductive spring. The housing includes a pair of diametrically opposed outwardly directed elongate continuous wings. The wings extend from the open end along the longitudinal portion of the housing. Each of the wings includes a first wing section adjacent to the open end having a first dimension which is used for manually attaching the connector to the conductor. The second wing section extends from the first wing section towards the closed end of the housing. The second wing section has a second extending dimension which is less than the first extending dimension and may be accommodated by a tool such as a socket for applying the connector to the conductors.
    • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective showing of the wire connector of the present invention.
  • FIGS. 2 through 5 are elevational showings of the front, right side, back and left side of the wire connector of FIG. 1.
  • FIGS. 6 and 7 are top and bottom elevational showings of the wire connector of FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 8 shows an alternate embodiment of the wire connector of the present invention.
    • DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
  • Referring to FIGS. 1 through 7 of the present invention, a twist-on wire connector 10 of the present invention is shown. Twist-on wire connector 10 is typically a two-piece embodiment including an elongate insulative housing 12 and a conical wire spring (not shown) supported by the housing. As is well-known in the twist-on connector art, the connector 10 may be used to connect two or more insulated or stripped electrical wires together by applying the housing over the ends of the wires. One example of such a conventional twist-on wire connector employing a connector housing and a metallic conical spring is shown in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,559,307, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.
  • Housing 12 is an elongate member formed of a suitably insulated molded thermoplastic material. Housing 12 includes a generally frustroconically shaped upper portion 14 tapering towards a closed end 16. A wider lower skirt portion 18 which is nearly cylindrical in shape includes an open end 20 opposed to closed end 16.
  • As shown in FIG. 7, the open end 20 defines a central cavity 22 in which the conical spring (not shown) is positioned in conventional fashion.
  • The outer wall 14 a of upper portion 14 may include a plurality of elongate ribs 22 which assist in manual gripping and turning of the connector 10 about electrical wires as is well known.
  • The outer wall 15 of housing 12 further includes a pair of elongate diametrically opposed wings 30 and 32. Wings 30 and 32 extend radially outwardly from wall 15. The wings extend from open end 20 along the outer wall 15 of housing 12 towards closed end 16.
  • Each of wings 30 and 32 includes two continuous but distinct wing sections. Wing sections 30 a and 32 a extend from open end 20 each having a radially outward first dimension d1. Second wing sections 30 b and 32 b extend from first wing section towards the closed end 16 of housing 12. The second wing sections 30 b and 32 b extend a radial distance d2 which is less than the distance d1 of the first wing sections 30 a and 32 a.
  • Each of wings sections 30 a, 32 a, 30 b, and 32 b are selected to provide optimum attachment of the wire connector 10 to the wires which are to be connected. The wider first wing sections 30 a and 32 a are positioned and arranged so that wire connector 10 can be manually turned onto the wires. The wider wing sections permit the thumb and forefinger of the installer to easily apply the necessary rotational forces to turn the wire connector onto the wires.
  • The second wing sections 30 b and 32 b are selected so that a connectional socket may be placed over the upper end 16 of connector housing 12, such that the second wing sections fit within the convolutions or recesses of the socket. Thus the connector 10 of the present invention may by applied to wires by use of a socket attached to a nut driver or similar tool.
  • The present invention defines two distinct wing sections for two types of application of the connector to the wires. First wing sections near the open end of the connector allow for manual attachment, while the second wing sections, which are intermediate and closer to the closed end allow for installation over the wires by use of a socket type tool.
  • Referring now to FIG. 8, a further embodiment of the present invention, the connector 10 includes at the open lower end 20 an outwardly directed ledge 40 circumferentially thereabout. The ledge 40 functions as a stop surface so that when the connector is manually placed on the wires, a downward action can be applied without the fingers of the installer slipping off the connector.

Claims (9)

1. A twist-on wire connector comprising:
an elongate insulated housing having a closed upper end, an open lower end and a central cavity in communication with said open end for accommodating a conductive spring;
said housing including a pair of diametrically opposed outwardly directed elongate continuous wings extending from said open end along a longitudinal portion of said housing, each of said elongate wings having a first wing section adjacent said open end having a first extending dimension and a second wing section extending from said first wing section toward said closed end and having a second extending dimension less than said first extended dimension.
2. A twist-on wire connector claim 1 wherein said housing includes an outwardly extending ledge at least partially about said open end.
3. A twist-on wire connector of claim 1 wherein said second wing section has a longitudinal portion thereof extending parallel to a central longitudinal axis of said housing.
4. A twist-on wire connector of claim 3 wherein said second wing section defines a diametrical distance as measured between said longitudinal portions which is accommodated within a standard nut socket.
5. A twist-on wire connector of claim 1 wherein said housing includes a plurality of elongated ribs.
6. A twist-on wire connector comprising:
an elongate insulated housing having a closed upper end, an open lower end and a central cavity in communication with said open end for accommodating a conductive spring;
said housing including a pair of diametrically opposed outwardly directed elongate continuous wings extending from said open end along a longitudinal portion of said housing, each of said elongate wings having a first wing section adjacent said open end having a first extending dimension and a second wing section extending from said first wing section toward said closed end and having a second extending dimension less than said first extended dimension, said housing includes an outwardly extending ledge at least partially about said open end.
7. A twist-on wire connector of claim 6 wherein said second wing section has a longitudinal portion thereof extending parallel to a central longitudinal axis of said housing.
8. A twist-on wire connector of claim 7 wherein said second wing section defines a diametrical distance as measured between said longitudinal portions which is accommodated within a standard nut socket.
9. A twist-on wire connector of claim 8 wherein said housing includes a plurality of elongated ribs.
US11/244,820 2004-10-06 2005-10-06 Twist-on connector Active US7365270B2 (en)

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Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11/244,820 US7365270B2 (en) 2004-10-06 2005-10-06 Twist-on connector

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Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US61638204P 2004-10-06 2004-10-06
US11/244,820 US7365270B2 (en) 2004-10-06 2005-10-06 Twist-on connector

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US20060070765A1 true US20060070765A1 (en) 2006-04-06
US7365270B2 US7365270B2 (en) 2008-04-29

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USD964293S1 (en) * 2020-05-29 2022-09-20 John E. Klein Gripped wire connector with wings and lined bumps

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US20080110301A1 (en) * 2006-10-27 2008-05-15 Board Of Trustees Of Southern Illinois University Wire connector driver
US7727034B1 (en) 2009-05-22 2010-06-01 Lisong Liu Connector for connecting printed surface area or line with conductive wire
AU2015349729A1 (en) * 2014-11-21 2017-06-08 Duane K. Smith Electrical connecting assemblies, and related methods
USD825301S1 (en) * 2015-04-21 2018-08-14 Kenneth R. Stalter Socket
US10218139B2 (en) 2015-06-03 2019-02-26 Ideal Industries, Inc. Twist-on wire connector and application tool therefor
US9768523B1 (en) 2017-01-04 2017-09-19 Stanislaw L Zukowski In-line twist on electrical wire connector
US10270190B2 (en) 2017-02-24 2019-04-23 Thomas & Betts International, Llc Twist-on wire connector
USD825300S1 (en) * 2017-08-28 2018-08-14 Kenneth R. Stalter Socket
USD848377S1 (en) * 2018-01-17 2019-05-14 Ppc Broadband, Inc. Torque sleeve
US11276945B1 (en) 2020-05-29 2022-03-15 John E. Klein Solderless wire connector
USD958091S1 (en) 2020-05-29 2022-07-19 John E. Klein Gripped wire connector with square bumps
USD959382S1 (en) 2020-05-29 2022-08-02 John E. Klein Gripped wire connector
USD959384S1 (en) 2020-05-29 2022-08-02 John E. Klein Gripped wire connector with texture bumps
USD959385S1 (en) 2020-05-29 2022-08-02 John E. Klein Gripped wire connector with oval bumps
USD959386S1 (en) 2020-05-29 2022-08-02 John E. Klein Gripped wire connector with circle bumps
USD959383S1 (en) 2020-05-29 2022-08-02 John E. Klein Gripped wire connector with short grooves
USD960109S1 (en) 2020-05-29 2022-08-09 John E. Klein Gripped wire connector with lined bumps
USD960108S1 (en) 2020-05-29 2022-08-09 John E. Klein Full gripped wire connector

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
USD964293S1 (en) * 2020-05-29 2022-09-20 John E. Klein Gripped wire connector with wings and lined bumps

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CA2522454C (en) 2011-05-24
US7365270B2 (en) 2008-04-29
CA2522454A1 (en) 2006-04-06

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